Marian Helper • Summer 2025 • Marian.org 9 It is certainly true what they say: if you don’t like the weather in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, wait 15 minutes — and it will change. That was certainly the case on Eden Hill during Divine Mercy Weekend, April 2627, 2025. It seemed as if the four seasons passed over Stockbridge those two days. With torrential rain and gusty wind, patches of warm sunshine and bone-chilling cold — and a good dose of mud thrown in — some 15,000 pilgrims, from as far away as Canada and California, were put to the test. Yet, as documented on the following pages, nothing could dampen the spirit nor the sense of community. We were all here for the same reason: to experience a “second Baptism” by receiving the extraordinary graces promised by our Lord to St. Faustina. Rousing start Heaven certainly “blessed” Eden Hill on Saturday with an all-day rain. But things got off to a rousing start with the Mercy Weekend Conference, featuring talks by Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, (on his new book, Understanding the Sacraments) and Fr. Donald Calloway, MIC, reminding us to always keep Our Lady close by. The lines for Confessions were long, and the Gift Tent was packed with shoppers. The vigil Mass was celebrated by Fr. Matthew Tomeny, MIC, Shrine rector, with Fr. Daniel Klimick offering an inspiring homily. Mercifully, the rain subsided in time for the distribution of Holy Communion and the safe return of all to their cars and buses. Sunday’s forecast was dry, and it mostly was, but the bitter cold and blowing wind were unexpected. The pre-show on EWTN, hosted by Fr. Chris and Fr. Joseph Roesch, MIC, concluded in a dramatic fashion when a gust blew the arrangement of roses off the center table! But the Liturgy and Chaplet proceeded as lovely as ever, presided over by Fr. Donald Calloway. Feels like home One pilgrim put it best: “Bad weather could never keep me away on Divine Mercy Weekend! The pilgrims from all over the country, of every ethnic background, come together like one big family, all of us united under Jesus, the Divine Mercy. It just feels like home.” Amen! Our thanks to the hard-working army of 600-plus volunteers and employees, the many vendors and public safety officers, and all the Marians who made Divine Mercy Weekend 2025 a great success. It’s teamwork at its very best. Blustery but beautiful! By Dr. Joe McAleer Divine Mercy Weekend 2025 Watch the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass. Father Chris Alar’s and Fr. Donald Calloway’s talks at Mercy Weekend Conference.
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